Tottenham eye move for Juventus’ £34m-rated Weston McKennie – but Italian giants may keep American as midfield cover after summer signing Paul Pogba’s knee injury
- Tottenham are interested in signing the Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie
- However, the Italian giants may be less willing to sell after Paul Pogba’s injury
- The versatile 23-year-old American star is rated by Juve at around £34million
Tottenham are interested in signing Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie – but their hopes may be dashed after Paul Pogba’s injury.
The Premier League side have been keen on the American for more than a year as they aim to strengthen their midfield.
Juventus would be willing to sell McKennie for around 40million euros (£34m), but their plans are complicated by a knee injury to new signing Pogba – which might mean the Italian giants keep McKennie around as cover.
Tottenham are eyeing up Juventus star Weston McKennie (above) to strengthen their midfield
But the Italian giants may postpone talk of a sale until Paul Pogba recovers from a knee injury
American international McKennie is near the top of Spurs manager Antonio Conte’s wishlist
Spurs managing director of football Fabio Paratici was at Juve when he brought McKennie to the club from Schalke, initially on loan, and the Washington-born star is up there as one of his best signings at the club.
And since moving to Tottenham in June 2021, Paratici has been exploring the possibility of bringing McKennie to north London with him too.
Although the 23-year-old is a key player and one of the most reliable midfielders at the Allianz Stadium, Juventus recognise his value has risen almost threefold and club CEO Maurizio Arrivabene would sanction a sale if the right offer comes in.
Paratici and manager Antonio Conte have already raided Juventus for midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and winger Dejan Kulusevski, who have both proved successes, and McKennie has been near the top of the shopping list for both men.
The former FC Dallas youth product is prized by Conte for his physicality, dynamic style and versatility, and can play in a three-, four- or five-man midfield, as well as covering at right wing-back or potentially even as one of the three centre halves.
Spurs managing director of football Fabio Paratici brought McKennie to Juve from Schalke
The north London side already raided Juventus for midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur in January
McKennie – in top shape after following a particular diet designed by Turin chef Patrick Contorno, would be viewed as a box-to-box midfielder who can contribute on the scoresheet.
However, Pogba’s problems with the meniscus of his right knee are complicating the situation for Juventus, who had identified McKennie’s sale as the perfect way to raise funds or make a move for Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo.
With the French midfielder out, the 35-cap international is viewed as the most likely goalscoring replacement and Juve could decide to postpone any talks of a sale until Pogba has recovered.
McKennie himself said this summer after manager Massimiliano Allegri’s support: ‘Allegri’s words were very important for me. For an athlete, it matters a lot to be in a place where you feel wanted, where they need you.
‘There is a lot of talk about my hypothetical transfer, to the point that it is difficult to completely ignore certain rumours. However, my agent and I are in close contact and therefore I would be the first to know if something is true or not’.
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